China's decision to allow foreign experts to help with rescue efforts following Monday's earthquake reflects the immensity and complexity of the task.
Foreign disaster experts have been waiting for the call to help rescue victims of the magnitude-7.9 quake. Up to Thursday, Beijing had politely refused.
But with 50,000 dead, more than 100,000 injured and 10 million directly affected, the government reversed itself, perhaps overwhelmed by the scope of the disaster.
China said Thursday it was welcoming emergency response units to bring sniffer dogs, fiber-optic probes and other technology to locate survivors. Foreign teams from China's regional rival Japan were being admitted. So was a team from Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of China.
Speaking about the Japanese group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Qin Gang said: "We thank these countries' governments and people for their sympathy and support for the Chinese government and Chinese people."
On Wednesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stopped in Beichuan, where U.S.-based Heart to Heart International had 16 workers treating injured people. Mr. Wen said: "On behalf of the Chinese government, I want to express my gratitude to American people and the U.S. government's support for this huge natural disaster in China."
The Chinese themselves are mounting the biggest rescue effort in modern Chinese history, led by the People's Liberation Army. Some 130,000 military recruits and police officers have been mobilized. Beijing appealed to its people for equipment like shovels, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Chinese state media said Friday that rescuers had reached all 58 counties and townships badly damaged. But hope is waning for survivors buried in the rubble. Chances for survival after three days without food and water drop sharply although people have lived up to 15 days under collapsed buildings.
The quake ranks among the 20 deadliest of all time. The United States should continue to do all it can to help the Beijing government save lives and respond to the disaster. Americans' thoughts and prayers are with the Chinese people.
